a standard pattern of lines, colors, etc. broadcast by a TV station, used to evaluate or adjust individual TV receivers for image quality
test pattern in American English
noun
Television
a geometric design broadcast to receivers for testing the quality of transmission, often identifying the transmitting station and channel
Word origin
[1945–50]This word is first recorded in the period 1945–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: RNA, fail-safe, poison pill, spin-off, taxi squad